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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Vintage Finds by Teresa Collins was the look I envisioned for this six page layout. The six layouts are possible thanks to the panoramic fold out pages - so neat for when you have tons of pictures of one event.

Many years back, I found these history year stickers. I thought it would be neat to use them to showcase the four generations of women in my family: my grandma, my mom, me and my daughter. I finally sat down and chose some pictures (still need to add a few). Looking back, I am glad that it took me so long to finally create this page. I am happy with the outcome.

Materials used:

Panoramic Fold out pages - (if interested, I can order some for my store)

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The circle of friends layout was inspired by a layout that I saw on Pinterest. I am thrilled with the finished product. Items used:

- Bazzill Medium Sunflower

- Paper Cottage - Fine China

- Paper Cottage - Afghan

- Paper Cottage - Clothesline

- Baker's twine.

Basically I cut out different sized circles for the center of the page; matted all pictures in Medium Sunflower and White cardstock; cut smaller circles for the twine (some are folded over the twine others glued on top); added some yellow brads; cut letters out on the Cricut using white cardstock and the turquoise (from the Paper Cottage printed papers).

Items for this layout can be purchased at www.thememorynest.com . Click on layouts and find Circle of Friends. The products are listed right underneath the layout picture.

Happy Scrapping!

Leslie

P.S. Markdown on printed papers going on through February 5, 2013

*I don't feel comfortable posting other people's children so faces are blurred out .

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I love the word of the year idea, but was having a hard time coming up with one for myself.

Low and behold, I was at a weekend crop hoping to get a lot accomplished (that was not happening). I was started to get bummed about all the pictures I was not going to scrapbook, when I began to reflect on all the pages and mini books I created. I realized the finished product was how I envisioned them. I turned to my girlfriends, who were also determined to complete a lot, and said, "quality not quantity!"

The light bulb went off. QUALITY. That is a word that I could live by for the year in many ways and facets in my life.

I started thinking: Quality...
...scrapbook and craft projects. Ones that I am proud to share with all of you.
...time with my children and husband
...customer services for all my online store visitors
...PTO chairperson responsibilities
...mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, aunt, Girl Scout leader all the roles in life
...scrapbook supplies carried by The Memory Nest.(no particular order)

Need I go on? I realized at that moment that life and work need not be a rush. It is not how much you do but the QUALITY of the job done, time spent and person I want to be.

Do you have a word of the year for 2013? Please leave a comment if you do and feel free to include a link to your blog post that contains your word. I will be sure to visit and check it out.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

1. Post this list that I created in a place where you will see it (to remind you to take a picture everyday).
2. Make sure the pictures showcase what the month of February was like in your life.
3. At the end of the month, print the pictures (all or some) and showcase your work with a one or two page scrapbook layout including your February in pictures.

O.k. So yes, this would have been a great challenge to start at the beginning of the year (January) but I just stumbled upon this idea and thought better late than never.

Here is a layout that I created using pictures that I took during the month of January. You could go back and create a January one too. It was so much fun to make and I am so happy with the way it came out.

At the beginning of March I will post my one or two page layout and would love for you to add yours! Instructions on how to do this to follow. Have fun and enjoy doing the challenge. (Leave a comment if you plan on trying this out).

Happy Picture Taking!
Leslie

p.s. My goal is to create a list for each month for the rest of the year. At the end, whomever joins in will have a completed year in review. A neat thing to look back on!

The one thing that made it much easier this time was dipping the end of the lollipop sticks into the melted chocolate and then into the cake pop. You must let the candy harden before you start dipping the rest of the cake pop into the chocolate for decorating. The hardened chocolate forms a barrier so that the cake pop doesn't slide down the lollipop stick. There were times when the cake pops would become to soft and would not slide down the stick by actually start to tear off. I would just stick the pops (sticks and all) back into the freezer for a few minutes to let them harden back up.

Another thing to remember, is once you dip the cake pop into the melted chocolate let the excess chocolate drip off (but wait too long - you don't want the chocolate to set),before sprinkling your shots or nonpareils on top. Instead of rolling the cake pop with the softened chocolate into the sprinkles, I just sprinkled them on with my fingers ~ and they stuck to the pop without a problem.

The drizzle was done with spoon. Put some melted chocolate on a spoon and let is drip or drizzle onto the pop. I used pink and purple chocolate melts.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Bonjour à nouveau (hello again)!
As promised, today I will share the ideas or techniques I used for creating the Paris themed party feel!Birthday Sign
The birthday sign was created using the Cricut Storybook Cartridge. I did a shadow of each letter in black and then did a regular sized letter for each using this pretty black and white paper pack I had. I added grommets to each letter so that I could easily string the letters together and keep them from tearing at the same time.

Paper Rosettes

The rosette idea came at a perfect time in a post from Chickabug Blog. When the post arrived in my inbox, I knew I needed to use this idea for the Paris party. I added 10's, Fleur de lis and Eiffel Tower pictures to the center of my rosettes to emphasize the theme. I displayed the rosettes in front of the kitchen window and along the fireplace.
http://www.chickabug.com/blog/2012/12/how-to-make-paper-rosettes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Chickabug+%28Chickabug%29

Pictures of the Eiffel Tower
I am fortunate to have a friend who visited Paris in the fall. She shared her picture files with me and I framed them using frames I already had or after Christmas finds (the chalkboard frame pictured below).

Paper Shoes

When I stumbled upon the paper shoe idea I was so excited because I wanted to try and make them, plus I thought they would go along great with the Paris theme. I used two different templates to create the shoes. I never finished adding details to them (especially the black one) but they still looked pretty displayed on the table.
Shoe template from: http://stacycohen.blogspot.com/2010/12/paper-shoe-template.html
The template for the black shoe was from http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/10/28/paper-witch-shoes/ (the original idea was from: www.ellenhutson.com )

Other decor and party goods!
The paper lanterns, plates, napkins and cups were ordered from www.birthdayexpress.com . I am always happy with the party supplies that I purchase from them! My daughter used her Harumika dress forms to create some decor with style with fashions she designed. http://www.harumika.com/

The Eiffel Tower (last but definitely not least)
The idea came from many images I saw of cardboard Eiffel Towers. My husband and I have been creating birthday party decorations with cardboard boxes for years now. (castle for a princess themed party, Mr. Hooper's store for a Sesame Street themed party - her birthday is right after Christmas - there are always tons of boxes available). I was determined to make an Eiffel Tower.
1. Using some math, a yardstick and pictures of the famous structure, I began to draw it out. There I am working on the masterpiece. I also included a picture of the two parts sketched out (bottom and top).

2.My wonderful husband cut out all the little pieces and then traced through to the other piece of cardboard ~ the other side of the box (we left the box intact). He then cut out those pieces. This gave us a front and a back to our tower.

3. Now of course, I thought it would stand up, no problem. My husband knew better and reinforced the structure with wood.

4. We painted it black and then added lights for effect! Voila ~ The Eiffel Tower! Great as a prop for taking pictures!

Hope you enjoyed learning how I created our party decorations. Comments are appreciated ~ would love to hear your "posh" thoughts.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

It has been too long since I last posted to the blog. I have not had time with all this fabulous birthday party planning I have been doing to prepare for my daughter's 10th birthday. That's right ~ double digits. I would love to share all the things I did to make it extra special.

The decorated fireplace with a birthday sign created using the Cricut and paper rosettes using a technique that I will share in a near future post. Feather boa and clear lights complete the look with pictures of the birthday girl, a pic of the Eiffel tower, a mini light up Eiffel Tower and a dress form!

The cake and all the fun goodies to go with it. Pictures of the Eiffel Tower were posted next to the cake. I was fortunate to have a friend who recently visited Paris. She shared her pics!